The offensive O-line, Barclay the answer?

[Freak Out]

Not sure who the author is.


2013 NFL Free Agent Offensive Linemen
By: Roshan Bhagat


Jake Long (MIA) - OT - A year ago, Joe Thomas set a new standard for offensive tackles with a 7-year, $84 million contract. The Dolphins are not expected to allow one of the best tackles in the league walk, but with a franchise tag number 120% of his cap number this year, $15.4 million will give Jake Long some leverage in negotiations.

Ryan Clady (DEN) - OT - After several seasons as one of the better left tackles in the league, Clady's is on his expiring rookie contract. After turning down a 5-year, $50 million offer from the Broncos prior to this season, there is some indication that he's looking for something more in the Joe Thomas ballpark. It's unlikely the Broncos, or any other team, will be willing to go that high, but if his demands persist, it brings the franchise tag into play.

Branden Albert (KC) - OT - Albert is among the best all-around left tackles in the league today. With the Chiefs emphasis on the run game and returning to the dominant offensive line that made them offensive powerhouses early last decade, even an offseason with other key free agents ready to hit the market, Albert should get his payday in red.

Sebastian Vollmer (NE) - OT - After a back injury that cost him most of the 2011 season, Vollmer returns to the starting lineup in 2012. He'll be 29 prior to the start of the next season and just coming off his rookie contract. When healthy, Vollmer has been among the league's best right tackles. If they can trust him to remain healthy, they will make a play for him.

Brandon Moore (NYJ) - OG - Though Moore will be 33 when the 2013 season begins, he may also be the best offensive guard on the market. With a Jets offensive line that was not too long ago the best in the league, they are now a unit that has felt pain attempting to replace former starters. Losing a player of Moore's caliber on the line could be devastating to an offense that has struggled to form an identity and develop even a sign of consistency.

Andy Levitre (BUF) - OG - Starting every game of his career so far, Levitre's versatility and consistency has brought tremendous value to the organization over the past couple years. With a healthy offensive line the Bills have found terrific success in running the ball with Fred Jackson, CJ Spiller, and even Tashard Choice. Keeping this unit intact will be important for the Bills offense.

Andre Smith (CIN) - OT - Though the former 6th overall pick probably hasn't lived up to his expectations, Smith has developed into an effective right tackle for the Bengals. Though Cincinnati would probably have to search for another right tackle if he moves on, but generally these high draft picks have a way of not staying with their original team if they don't pan out all the way. Weight is a concern, but Smith could be one of the more realistic possible options in free agency.

Sam Baker (ATL) - OT - Over the last year or two, Sam Baker has been battling a chronic injury and Will Svitek for a starting job. At full health, Baker has been an effective left tackle for the Falcons. At less than full health, he's been a borderline liability. Baker is an example of the type of player every year where his own team has the best injury read on him. If the Falcons can trust his health, they will trust signing him to a solid second contract.

[RashanGary]

I'm not sure we're all that bad on the OL. Center, we absolutely need. It's not like these projects we have in the wings have a high chance of turning out. Saturday, until recently, was our worst OL.

At tackle, Newhouse has been one of our better players. In pass protection he's really held his own. The Packers even chose to leave him on an island against JPP and Osi and slide protection to Lang. It says as much about Lang as it does Newhouse, but to even attempt that, they had to have some confidence in him, and all reports, subjectively outside of the Packers, are that he's doing a really good job.

The run game is the huge problem. It's awful. Green can't break a tackle and has marginal to horrible vision. He also goes backwards when hit. It's just bad. Starks has horrible vision. He runs hard, falls forward, but he consistently runs away from daylight.

Our running backs are pathetic. It's a major hole in our team. I'm all for giving Cobb some carries, even on 1st and 2nd down. He may have to avoid the big hits and run a little safe that way, but he's the only guy who has any vision in the backfield, and he's excellent at breaking tackles. He'd be a big play guy for us, I think. With Jennings coming back, I think it would be a good way to use him. 10 runs a game or so, and returns. . . . Teams are playing us man with 2 safeties over. There are those huge gaps on the outside. Green can get there, he just trips on pinky tackles. Cobb can get through those and exploit that defense. I'd risky, but if we want to win why not give it a try? Jennings, Nelson and Jones are really good outside. Our hole is at RB. Just like Wood playing safety. We have corners. With Hayward coming on, I think Wood will stay at safety even in nickel, coming down only in dime, even though he's great in nickel. It's a matter of where we need him most. I think the same goes for Cobb. Wood is a little undersized in how he plays, but he's smart, he has a way of making it happen. Cobb would too. He's a similar type of instinctual player on offense as Wood is on D. He can do it all.

Next draft, we're desperate for a back. Desperate. NE has done a good job bringing in so/so talented backs who have vision. They make it work. To Thompson's credit, he goes for the premier talent. It's not safe, but he has the win it all mentality. Unfortunately, we have two very talented players who can't find a hole if it was right between their but cheeks.

[red]

Not sure who the author is.


2013 NFL Free Agent Offensive Linemen
By: Roshan Bhagat


Jake Long (MIA) - OT - A year ago, Joe Thomas set a new standard for offensive tackles with a 7-year, $84 million contract. The Dolphins are not expected to allow one of the best tackles in the league walk, but with a franchise tag number 120% of his cap number this year, $15.4 million will give Jake Long some leverage in negotiations.

Ryan Clady (DEN) - OT - After several seasons as one of the better left tackles in the league, Clady's is on his expiring rookie contract. After turning down a 5-year, $50 million offer from the Broncos prior to this season, there is some indication that he's looking for something more in the Joe Thomas ballpark. It's unlikely the Broncos, or any other team, will be willing to go that high, but if his demands persist, it brings the franchise tag into play.

Branden Albert (KC) - OT - Albert is among the best all-around left tackles in the league today. With the Chiefs emphasis on the run game and returning to the dominant offensive line that made them offensive powerhouses early last decade, even an offseason with other key free agents ready to hit the market, Albert should get his payday in red.

Sebastian Vollmer (NE) - OT - After a back injury that cost him most of the 2011 season, Vollmer returns to the starting lineup in 2012. He'll be 29 prior to the start of the next season and just coming off his rookie contract. When healthy, Vollmer has been among the league's best right tackles. If they can trust him to remain healthy, they will make a play for him.

Brandon Moore (NYJ) - OG - Though Moore will be 33 when the 2013 season begins, he may also be the best offensive guard on the market. With a Jets offensive line that was not too long ago the best in the league, they are now a unit that has felt pain attempting to replace former starters. Losing a player of Moore's caliber on the line could be devastating to an offense that has struggled to form an identity and develop even a sign of consistency.

Andy Levitre (BUF) - OG - Starting every game of his career so far, Levitre's versatility and consistency has brought tremendous value to the organization over the past couple years. With a healthy offensive line the Bills have found terrific success in running the ball with Fred Jackson, CJ Spiller, and even Tashard Choice. Keeping this unit intact will be important for the Bills offense.

Andre Smith (CIN) - OT - Though the former 6th overall pick probably hasn't lived up to his expectations, Smith has developed into an effective right tackle for the Bengals. Though Cincinnati would probably have to search for another right tackle if he moves on, but generally these high draft picks have a way of not staying with their original team if they don't pan out all the way. Weight is a concern, but Smith could be one of the more realistic possible options in free agency.

Sam Baker (ATL) - OT - Over the last year or two, Sam Baker has been battling a chronic injury and Will Svitek for a starting job. At full health, Baker has been an effective left tackle for the Falcons. At less than full health, he's been a borderline liability. Baker is an example of the type of player every year where his own team has the best injury read on him. If the Falcons can trust his health, they will trust signing him to a solid second contract.

i read that same thing the other day, probably monday. some of those guys sure would be nice, but i just don't see us having the cap space to sign a FA LT

JH. i disagree. i thought saturday has been ok, with Newhouse being the one massive weak spot on the line (until the line switch up). he's just not starting NFL LT material. can anyone say will whitaker? the guy should not be starting

[Fritz]

i read that same thing the other day, probably monday. some of those guys sure would be nice, but i just don't see us having the cap space to sign a FA LT

JH. i disagree. i thought saturday has been ok, with Newhouse being the one massive weak spot on the line (until the line switch up). he's just not starting NFL LT material. can anyone say will whitaker? the guy should not be starting

He's not Will Whitaker, but he's probably best suited as your top backup swing tackle. The problem with the free agents listed above is that the left tackles will be way too expensive, and the others are mostly right tackles - so what do you do with Bulaga? If your team didn't think he was best-suited there before, how could you suddenly decide he'd be just fine at left tackle? In a way, you could argue he didn't even beat out Marshmallow Newhouse.

I think drafting a center who's NFL ready would be really important - if there's one out there. Then maybe a left tackle you think is a quick learner and has a higher ceiling than Newhouse. Someone who could swing inside too, in case Sherrod pans out at left tackle.

Not asking for much, am I?

I am one of the few here who believe that Sherrod did begin to show signs of development just before he was hurt. I have hope for him.

In the meantime, I'm sure Campen and Company are evaluating the hell out of Don Barclay every day.

[Pugger]

He's not Will Whitaker, but he's probably best suited as your top backup swing tackle. The problem with the free agents listed above is that the left tackles will be way too expensive, and the others are mostly right tackles - so what do you do with Bulaga? If your team didn't think he was best-suited there before, how could you suddenly decide he'd be just fine at left tackle? In a way, you could argue he didn't even beat out Marshmallow Newhouse.

I think drafting a center who's NFL ready would be really important - if there's one out there. Then maybe a left tackle you think is a quick learner and has a higher ceiling than Newhouse. Someone who could swing inside too, in case Sherrod pans out at left tackle.

Not asking for much, am I?

I am one of the few here who believe that Sherrod did begin to show signs of development just before he was hurt. I have hope for him.

In the meantime, I'm sure Campen and Company are evaluating the hell out of Don Barclay every day.

I'm the other. I think he'll be fine as soon as his leg heals. It took Mike Flanagan a long time to come back and his injury was even worse.

[sharpe1027]

He's not Will Whitaker, but he's probably best suited as your top backup swing tackle. The problem with the free agents listed above is that the left tackles will be way too expensive, and the others are mostly right tackles - so what do you do with Bulaga? If your team didn't think he was best-suited there before, how could you suddenly decide he'd be just fine at left tackle? In a way, you could argue he didn't even beat out Marshmallow Newhouse.

I think drafting a center who's NFL ready would be really important - if there's one out there. Then maybe a left tackle you think is a quick learner and has a higher ceiling than Newhouse. Someone who could swing inside too, in case Sherrod pans out at left tackle.

Not asking for much, am I?

I am one of the few here who believe that Sherrod did begin to show signs of development just before he was hurt. I have hope for him.

In the meantime, I'm sure Campen and Company are evaluating the hell out of Don Barclay every day.

Given up on EDS at cetner already? I think he's better suited for center than guard so he still might be a good option.

[run pMc]

I think they'll:
- draft a tackle and (of course) play him at guard
- transition EDS to replace Saturday at C
- hope Sherrod comes back and either beats Newhouse for LT or becomes the backup swing tackle
- hope Bulaga comes back better than ever
- hope either Barclay or Datko develops into backup tackle #4
- hope Van Roten develops into the interior swing guy - basically taking on EDS' role
>>that's a lot of hopes, folks. (I am facing fact right now.)
- draft a WR in the top 2-3 rounds to replace Jennings when he walks in FA
- kick the tires on resigning Benson
- draft a RB somewhere in rounds 3-5 to push Starks/Green -- especially if Benson goes elsewhere or looks done post-surgery
- probably draft a OLB to backup Perry as he slides into the starting role if Walden moves on in FA

Right now, the OL isn't very good...but I think if the coaches are smart they will get enough out of them to make the playoffs. It's not a SB-winning OL though.

[woodbuck27]

First three picks should be game changing shifty HOF caliber RBs.

Rather than waiting three years for an offensive lineman to develop.

Would Aaron Rodgers be willing to surrender some portion of his star power? Doesn't anyone see the benefit of drafting a high quality RB? I'd settle for one RB of quality and screw the horrible OL if we get someone even remotely as decent as this fella:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayl8K79MseI

Since Green Bay and a quality RB cannot realistically be part of the same sentence. I realize that's an unrealistic thought and just wanted y'all to 'simply imagine' Aaron Rodgers and a RB that's a real difference maker.

Geee ! Even someone like this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ftn68PZSws

GO PACKERS !

[KYPack]

I hope the Pack signs Andre Smith. He can play RTor LT. We could sign him, flop Bulaga to LT OR just play Smith on the left side. He has amazing feet and is strong as a bull. He beat the dog shit out of Justin Tuck when the Gnats played Cincy a couple weeks ago.

Smith is a fat bastard and can be tough to motivate, but when he's right, he's the real deal. He'll go for some bucks, but he'll help whatever team he signs with.

if we got him, he'd be our best or second best OL.

[mission]

We could have drafted Doug Martin...

[Joemailman]

Bob McGinn on the Barclay bandwagon. http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packe...181711651.html

[denverYooper]

Bob McGinn on the Barclay bandwagon. http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packe...181711651.html

I was just coming here to post this.

Has anyone seen Patler and McGinn together in the same room?

[pbmax]

I was just coming here to post this.

Has anyone seen Patler and McGinn together in the same room?

No, but Bob talks more about HS Basketball and Football while Patler seems fond of Hockey.

[pbmax]

You know its gotten bad when een Bob is referencing Mike Sherman in assessing O line attributes.

[mraynrand]

You know its gotten bad when een Bob is referencing Mike Sherman in assessing O line attributes.

maybe Sherman was OK at that. But who would know? Sherman walked into a sit with both Tackles in place and most of the line set for the entire duration of his coaching tenue until TT blew it up the middle in 2005. Sherman was responsible for Scott Wells, U71, and managing the Flanagan Winters double swap for Clifton, which effectively ended the 2002 season. Thompson is responsible for drafting two (injury prone!) tackles. It's TT's fault that Sherrod and Bulaga are not reliable bookend tackles. He should have known they would get injured. BBS: BRING BLACK SHERMAN!!!